Electrostrictive composite and electrostrictive element using the same

Abstract

An electrostrictive composite includes a flexible polymer matrix and a carbon nanotube film structure. The carbon nanotube film structure is at least partially embedded into the flexible polymer matrix through a first surface. The carbon nanotube film structure includes a plurality of carbon nanotubes combined by van der Waals attractive force therebetween.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. An electrothermic element comprising:
 a flexible polymer matrix having a first surface; 
 a carbon nanotube film structure comprising a plurality of carbon nanotubes, combined by van der Waals attractive force therebetween, parallel to the first surface; wherein the carbon nanotube film structure is at least partially embedded in the flexible polymer matrix through the first surface, and a thickness of the carbon nanotube film structure embedded in the flexible polymer matrix is less than a thickness of the flexible polymer matrix; 
 a first electrode; and 
 a second electrode; wherein the first electrode and the second electrode are separately disposed in the flexible polymer matrix and electrically connected to the carbon nanotube film structure. 
 
     
     
       2. The electrothermic element as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the carbon nanotube film structure is partially embedded in the flexible polymer matrix and partially located on the first surface of the flexible polymer matrix. 
     
     
       3. The electrothermic element as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the carbon nanotube film structure comprises a plurality of micropores, and at least part of the flexible polymer matrix is located in the plurality of micropores. 
     
     
       4. The electrothermic element as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the carbon nanotube film structure comprises at least one drawn carbon nanotube film comprising the plurality of carbon nanotubes joined end-to-end. 
     
     
       5. The electrothermic element as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the carbon nanotube film structure has a thermal expansion coefficient less than the thermal expansion coefficient of the flexible polymer matrix. 
     
     
       6. The electrothermic element as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein a material of the flexible polymer matrix is selected from the group consisting of silicone elastomer, poly methyl methacrylate, polyurethane, epoxy resin, polypropylene acid ethyl ester, acrylic acid ester, polystyrene, polybutadiene, polyacrylonitrile, polyaniline, polypyrrole, and polythiophene. 
     
     
       7. The electrothermic element as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the carbon nanotube film structure is entirely embedded into the flexible polymer matrix. 
     
     
       8. The electrothermic element as claimed in  claim 7 , wherein the carbon nanotube film structure is located at an offset from a central dividing plane of the flexible polymer matrix. 
     
     
       9. The electrothermic element as claimed in  claim 8 , wherein the central dividing plane runs parallel to the first surface of the flexible polymer matrix. 
     
     
       10. The electrothermic element as claimed in  claim 8 , wherein the central dividing plane divides the flexible polymer matrix into two approximately symmetrical parts. 
     
     
       11. The electrothermic element as claimed in  claim 8 , wherein thermal expansion coefficients on two opposite sides of the central dividing plane of the flexible polymer matrix are different. 
     
     
       12. The electrothermic element as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein a thickness of the flexible polymer matrix ranges from about 20 micrometers to about 4 millimeters. 
     
     
       13. The electrothermic element as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the carbon nanotube film structure comprises at least one carbon nanotube film. 
     
     
       14. The electrothermic element as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the carbon nanotube film structure comprises a plurality of carbon nanotube films stacked together, each of the plurality of carbon nanotube films comprises the plurality of carbon nanotubes, and the plurality of carbon nanotubes in each of the plurality of carbon nanotube films substantially extends along a same direction. 
     
     
       15. An electrothermic element comprising:
 a flexible polymer matrix having a first surface; 
 a carbon nanotube film structure comprising a plurality of carbon nanotubes, the carbon nanotube film structure is entirely embedded into the flexible polymer matrix, and a thickness of the carbon nanotube film structure embedded in the flexible polymer matrix is less than a thickness of the flexible polymer matrix; 
 a first electrode; and 
 a second electrode, wherein the first electrode and the second electrode are separately disposed in the flexible polymer matrix and electrically connected to the carbon nanotube film structure.